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Luke9

American Standard Version · Public Domain

1And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.

2And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

3And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.

4And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.

5And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.

6And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead;

8and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.

9And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

10And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.

11But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.

12And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.

13But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.

14For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.

15And they did so, and made them all sit down.

16And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.

17And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

18And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?

19And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.

20And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.

21But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;

22saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

23And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

25For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?

26For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

27But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.

29And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.

30And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;

31who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.

34And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

35And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.

36And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.

38And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:

39and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely.

40And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.

41And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.

42And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tare him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples,

44Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.

45But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.

47But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,

48and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.

49And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.

50But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.

51And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

53And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem.

54And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?

55But he turned, and rebuked them.

56And they went to another village.

57And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.

58And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

59And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.

60But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.

61And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.

62But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Luke 9.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The apostles sent forth. (1–9). The multitude miraculously fed. (10–17). Peter's testimony to Christ, Self-denial enjoined. (18–27). The transfiguration. (28–36). An evil spirit cast out. (37–42). Christ checks the ambition of his disciples. (43–50). He reproves their mistaken zeal. (51–56). Every thing to be given up for Christ. (57–62).

vv1-9

Christ sent his twelve disciples abroad, who by this time were able to teach others what they had received from the Lord. They must not be anxious to commend themselves to people's esteem by outward appearance. They must go as they were. The Lord Jesus is the fountain of power and authority, to whom all creatures must, in one way or another, be subject; and if he goes with the word of his ministers in power, to deliver sinners from Satan's bondage, they may be sure that he will care for their wants. When truth and love thus go together, and yet the message of God is rejected and despised, it leaves men without excuse, and turns to a testimony against them. Herod's guilty conscience was ready to conclude that John was risen from the dead. He desired to see Jesus; and why did he not go and see him? Probably, because he thought it below him, or because he wished not to have any more reprovers of sin. Delaying it now, his heart was hardened, and when he did see Jesus, he was as much prejudiced against him as others, Lu 23:11.

vv10-17

The people followed Jesus, and though they came unseasonably, yet he gave them what they came for. He spake unto them of the kingdom of God. He healed those who had need of healing. And with five loaves of bread and two fishes, Christ fed five thousand men. He will not see those that fear him, and serve him faithfully, want any good thing. When we receive creature-comforts, we must acknowledge that we receive them from God, and that we are unworthy to receive them; that we owe them all, and all the comfort we have in them, to the mediation of Christ, by whom the curse is taken away. The blessing of Christ will make a little go a great way. He fills every hungry soul, abundantly satisfies it with the goodness of his house. Here were fragments taken up: in our Father's house there is bread enough, and to spare. We are not straitened, nor stinted in Christ.

vv18-27

It is an unspeakable comfort that our Lord Jesus is God's Anointed; this signifies that he was both appointed to be the Messiah, and qualified for it. Jesus discourses concerning his own sufferings and death. And so far must his disciples be from thinking how to prevent his sufferings, that they must prepare for their own. We often meet with crosses in the way of duty; and though we must not pull them upon our own heads, yet, when they are laid for us, we must take them up, and carry them after Christ. It is well or ill with us, according as it is well or ill with our souls. The body cannot be happy, if the soul be miserable in the other world; but the soul may be happy, though the body is greatly afflicted and oppressed in this world. We must never be ashamed of Christ and his gospel.

Cross References

Luke 9
v9Luke 23:8thematic

Herod's desire to see Jesus is eventually realized only when Jesus is sent to him as a prisoner.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v29Exodus 34:29-35typology

Moses' face shining after praying on the mount typefies Christ's transfiguring countenance.

Supported by JFB

v57Matthew 8:19thematic

Parallel account of the scribe offering to follow Jesus whithersoever He goes.

Supported by John Calvin

v611 Kings 19:20contrast

Elisha was permitted to bid farewell to his family, whereas Jesus demands immediate, unconditional commitment.

v1Matthew 10:1thematic

Matthew's parallel account of Jesus calling and empowering the twelve disciples for their mission.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v1Mark 6:7-13thematic

Mark's parallel account of the sending out of the twelve with power over unclean spirits.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v3Luke 22:35contrast

Jesus references back to this mission, contrasting their temporary lack with future preparations.

v20Matthew 16:16thematic

The parallel confession of Peter, identifying Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Supported by JFB

v282 Peter 1:16thematic

Peter's eyewitness testimony of Christ's majesty on the holy mount.

Supported by JFB

v35Deuteronomy 18:15fulfillment

The Father's command 'hear him' fulfills Moses' prophecy of the coming Prophet.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v49Mark 9:38-40thematic

Parallel incident of the disciples forbidding someone casting out demons in Christ's name.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v542 Kings 1:10-14allusion

Direct precedent cited by James and John when they ask to command fire from heaven as Elijah did.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v59Matthew 8:21thematic

Parallel dialogue of a disciple asking to first go and bury his father.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v62Luke 17:32thematic

A solemn warning against looking back to what was left behind, exemplified by Lot's wife.

v5Acts 13:51thematic

Paul and Barnabas carry out this exact instruction by shaking dust from their feet.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v7Matthew 14:1-12thematic

The detailed background of Herod's execution of John and his troubled conscience regarding Jesus.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v10Mark 6:30thematic

Mark's parallel account of the apostles returning and gathering to report to Jesus.

Supported by JFB

v12John 6:5-15thematic

John's parallel account of the feeding of the five thousand, leading to the Bread of Life discourse.

Supported by JFB

v132 Kings 4:43typology

Elisha's miraculous feeding of one hundred men with twenty loaves, typifying Christ's greater miracle.

v23Matthew 16:24thematic

Parallel instruction on self-denial and taking up the cross to follow Christ.

Supported by John Calvin

v28Matthew 17:1-13thematic

Matthew's parallel account of the Transfiguration, including Moses and Elijah.

Supported by JFB

v28Mark 9:2-13thematic

Mark's parallel account describing Christ's glistening, white garments.

Supported by JFB

v34Exodus 40:34-38typology

The divine cloud that overshadowed the tabernacle now overshadows the disciples.

Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB

v41Matthew 17:17thematic

Parallel of Jesus' rebuke to the faithless and perverse generation after the failed exorcism.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v46Matthew 18:1-5thematic

Parallel teaching on humility and greatness using a child as an emblem.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole

v51Isaiah 50:7allusion

Prophetic description of setting one's face like flint, echoed in Jesus setting His face to Jerusalem.

Supported by Matthew Henry

v61Matthew 10:37thematic

Loving family more than Christ makes one unworthy of His discipleship.

v61Luke 14:26thematic

The demand to prioritize Christ over all family relationships to be His disciple.

v62Genesis 19:17thematic

The urgent command to escape for one's life and not look back behind.

v62Hebrews 10:38thematic

Warnings against drawing back after starting the path of faith, which displeases God.

v3Luke 10:4-12thematic

Jesus gives identical instructions of urgency and dependency when sending out the seventy.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v13Numbers 11:21-23contrast

Moses' doubt about feeding a massive assembly, mirroring the disciples' weak faith here.

v18Mark 8:27-30thematic

Mark's parallel of Jesus asking His disciples who the crowds and they say He is.

Supported by JFB

v27Matthew 16:28thematic

Parallel promise of seeing the Son of man coming in His kingdom.

Supported by JFB

v27Mark 9:1thematic

Parallel promise of seeing the kingdom of God come with power.

Supported by JFB

v32Matthew 26:40-43contrast

The disciples are heavy with sleep here, contrasting with their sleep in Gethsemane.

Supported by JFB